How the West Was Lost?

The extreme heatwaves, in the US West (including a record day, in Death Valley, of 54.4 degrees Centigrade), naturally cause water reserves to evaporate. When this happens, large expanses of vegetation become kindling for wildfires (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/12/wildfires-california-oregon-drought-heat-fire-cycle). There are now wildfires from Arizona to Washington State. North California's largest wildfire has destroyed 140 square miles of the state. It was so intense, a fire tornado was created and the smoke was visible from space. Perhaps it was visible to billionaire space tourism enthusiasts, intent on doing their bit to add 'greenhouse gases' to the atmosphere? It looks as if the American West is locked into a cycle of heat, drought and fire. Some residents are now putting together 'fire bags' of belongings, which can be grabbed to facilitate quick escape from infernos (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/06/us-west-wildfires-heatwaves).